2007 Mitsubishi Outlander: Fine drive, not so fine interior

dodo2: We've checked/adjusted the tire pressure since we've had the vehicle, but I didn't check it over the weekend. Will look into it. Yes, I do find the Outlander's plastic dash trim harder and cheaper in feel than the stuff in the RAV4, CR-V and Santa Fe. Actually, I left it in 2WD, and even then, torque steer is not a problem.

Erin: Thanks for your answer. It seems like Outlander's platform and powertrain is even better than I though if you were in 2WD and no torque steer. I consider the Outlander's interior sportier than any of the SUVs mentioned rather than cheaper. But we are entitled to different opinions especially when it comes to subjective stuff.

You have got to love the clickety-clack of the HVAC controls (as mentioned in Kelly's full-test article) too!
 
Full Test:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=118989
 
Regarding the torque steer, I thought I felt some the one time I had the Outlander. Perhaps you weren't mashing the gas in the same "spirited" manner I was (I also was in FWD mode)? Maybe tire wear has helped even things out. Please "exercise" the vehicle every time you get the this vehicle and keep us posted, Erin! :o)

The RAV4 also uses a "proactive" 4WD system that's always sending a certain amount of power to the rear, and this makes a difference in the amount of torque steer experienced (in contrast to Edmunds' 2WD RAV4). It's pretty much nonexistent from a dead stop, when up to 45% of torque is directed rearwards, but when nailing the throttle on the highway (running in mostly FWD mode) it's still a factor.

I agree with the comment about the HVAC controls, but to call the Outlander's interior cheap because of that, it’s just ridiculous. This shortcoming is easily compensated by many other high quality interior parts: leather steering wheel w/audio and BT, leather shift knob, fabric/leather seats, sport front seats, great stereo, Bluetooth, Navi, etc. All these make up the interior. I would take any day a leather steering wheel with audio (and BT controls in the Outlander) over clickety NAVC controls. You touch the steering wheel more than the HVAC controls; therefore you score much higher in the quality feel with a leather steering wheel. And this is just an example.
  
Torque steer: keep trying. You will only prove that the Outlander's platform and powertrain is superior to anything else in its class.
  
Oh, and one suggestion for the Edmunds editors driving this car: when you guys are done picking on cheap plastic small parts and missing buttons, take a closer look at the 4WD system in this vehicle. What about taking it off-road a bit even though with the 18" low profile tires may not be a very good idea, unless you could swap them? There is very little info on how this vehicle behaves off-road. Read this first though so you really understand how the 4WD and ASC work:
  
http://media.mitsubishicars.com/detail?mid=MIT2006083040260&mime=ASC.
  
Just a hint: 4WD Lock mode does not lock the torque distribution 50/50 front/rear (like the Edmunds Editor's Review states on the Outlander's page).

dodo2, thanks for the great link on the 4WD system on the 2007 Outlander! I didn't say the interior was cheap (shoot, it's better than my Impreza's...then again, what isn't save for some domestic vehicle interiors). I just was trying to say the clickety-clack of the HVAC controls don't instill a sense of endurance/durability.
 
Torque steer: I hope the editors keep trying! Kudos to Mitsubishi if they indeed dialed it out.
 
I would love to see a RAV4, Outlander, Forester, and CX-7 off-road challenge!

SubyTrojan: No disagreement on the HVAC controls - they sound/feel cheaper than they should, but I think they will last forever as they are very simple.
I wouldn't disagree with you if you would throw in the cheap parts list the upper door panels, but somehow this didn't get noticed nor mentioned. However, I would like to see mentioned the better parts I listed in my previous post. But this never happens.
My point is that almost all Outlander's reviews tend to put much more weight on few negative parts, rather insignificant, and "overlook" the much longer and more important list of positives.
Example: The total lack of Navi in the RAV4 (or Bluetooth only available on Ltd and within an expensive package) is never mentioned as a negative, but the fact that the Outlander does not have volume controls on the console with the NAVI always comes up as a negative point (although you have them at your fingertips on the steering wheel, which BTW is much more convenient for most).
 
Moving on, when should we expect an off-road, side-by-side comparo of the compact SUVs? You could throw in the Santa Fe, CRV and Grand Vitara which are cross-shopped in the segment.

You may want to add the 2008 Saturn Vue to the comparo as it looks like a good package in the compact SUV class.